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Resolving Common Issues with Troubleshooting Mode in Health Check & Troubleshooting

62 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Health check & troubleshooting

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Many WordPress users rely on the Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin to diagnose conflicts. However, a common point of confusion is that the plugin's Troubleshooting Mode only affects your user session, not the entire site. This article explains why certain problems occur and how to resolve them.

Why You Might See a White Screen or 500 Error

When you enable Troubleshooting Mode, the plugin disables all plugins and switches to a default theme only for your user account. If your site or theme relies on a specific plugin to function (e.g., a page builder or a theme's core functionality plugin), disabling it for your session can cause a fatal PHP error, resulting in a white screen or an HTTP 500 error for you. Other visitors will not see this error.

How to Regain Access

If you are locked out of your admin dashboard due to a white screen or error, the solution is simple. Troubleshooting Mode is tied to your browser's cookies. To disable it:

  1. Completely log out of your WordPress site.
  2. Clear your browser's cookies and cache for the site.
  3. Close all browser windows and restart your computer.
  4. Log back into your site. Troubleshooting Mode will now be disabled.

Why Permalinks Might Break (404 Errors)

Another reported issue is that after using Troubleshooting Mode, site pages return a 404 error. This is often caused by a plugin that modifies WordPress's rewrite rules. When that plugin is disabled for your session, the rules can become confused. The fix is straightforward: simply visit Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress admin and click "Save Changes" without making any modifications. This refreshes the rewrite rules and should resolve the 404 errors.

When a Plugin Blocks Access

In some cases, a security plugin (like Wordfence) might block access to the Health Check pages. If the plugin's page flashes briefly and then shows an unexpected result, try temporarily deactivating your security plugin to see if that resolves the issue. Remember to reactivate it afterward.

Key Takeaway

Remember, Troubleshooting Mode is a powerful tool that only changes the site for you. If you encounter an error, it's almost always limited to your browser session. Logging out and clearing cookies is the universal first step to regaining access and disabling the mode.

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